"Dynamic" Mexico always felt comeback was within reach

BY ADAM SERRANO

PASADENA, Calif-- Down 2-0 to the United States has been a common downfall for previous editions of the Mexican National Team. 

However, this time Mexico was able to storm back scoring four unanswered goals and earning their second Gold Cup victory in front of a capacity crowd at the Rose Bowl. It was a comeback sparked by a group that has been labeled by the Mexican media as the "Golden Generation." 

Swift footed players like Giovani Dos Santos and Andres Guardado were able to consistently create scoring chances for El Tri and eventually helping them retain their continental title. With the heavily pro-Mexican crowd urging them on, Mexico's star Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez believed that it was not an individual effort, but a collective one by a talented Mexico squad.

"You saw that we were two down in the game and at the moment, the only thing in my mind is we could score four goals so we were very happy," said Hernandez after the match. "All the people say that I'm the hero or the idol, but there are no rock stars on this team, there are just 20 players that want to do their best for their national team."

Although the United States held the familiar two to zero lead, the Mexicans remained confident of their ability to come back. Despite the lead, it was Mexico through the play of Dos Santos, Guardado and Pablo Barrera, who were able to place substantial pressure on the American back line. In the end, El Tri were eventually able to crack the defense and turn the result around. 

"There was some worry because we didn’t want to lose our discipline," head coach Jose Manuel De La Torre said in his post game press conference. "They surprised us with the first goal, the second goal they caught us a bit open. Fortunately, the team was able to turn things around."

As the match wore on, the Americans consistently struggled to deal with the flank play of Barrera and Guardado, who routinely found their way behind the American defense. Following the match, the Americans could do little, but tip their hats to their arch rivals on a deserved victory. 

“They’re as dynamic as any Mexican team as I’ve ever played against,” Donovan said. “They’ve just got a few guys that can change the game in a heartbeat. Between Guardado and Barrera and Giovani and Chicharito, they can make special plays. They’re explosive, and if you give them a lot of space they’re going to make plays.”

With their second straight Gold Cup Championship and trip to the 2013 Confederations Cup secured, many were left to wonder if Mexico had once again resumed the title of "the King of CONCACAF." In the last two Gold Cup Finals, the Mexicans have outscored the United States by a combined score of 9-2.

However, for Hernandez, who was fresh from completing his first match against the United States, it was clearly a conversation that he wanted no part of. 

"We're the best team in the Gold Cup and that's all that I need," a beaming Hernandez told reporters after the victory.